Material unloading apparatus



Oct. 10, 1950 J. c. CURTIS ETAL MATERIAL UNLOADING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 7, 1945 fiififiZZ/Wifi: (1592122 a (212 255. L'Zmer 6 6024522.

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Oct. 10, 1950 J. C. CURTIS ETAL MATERIAL UNLOADING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l mu lllmum Filed Nov. 7, 1945 l i ZwmZam:

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Patented Oct. 10, 1950 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE John 0. Curtis and Elmer G. Gartin, Claremont,

N. H.,; assignors to Joy Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania j Application November 7, 1945, Serial No. 627,203

1 This invention relates to material unloadin apparatus and more particularly to a rotary car dump having associated therewith improved means for imparting hammer blows to the bottom of an inverted mine car to discharge any wet and sticky coal or similar material which might be solidly packed in the bottom of the car. In the transportation of coal or similar material in mines, the loose coal is usually transported from the mine by a train of mine cars'hauled by a mine locomotive and when the train of cars reaches the mine tipple, the coal is ofttimes dumped from the cars by a rotary dump which inverts a loaded car so that the loose coal'is'discharged therefrom by gravity. When amine .car is inverted in the rotary dump to discharge :its contents, some dilficulty has beenencountered in completely discharging the wet and sticky coal which is solidly packed in the bottom ofthe car. In order to'discharge the packed, wet-and sticky coal from the car bottom it has been found necessary to hammer on the bottom'of the'inverte'd car in the rotary dump" and, in known instances, hammering on the car bottomhas been effected by means of pneumatic hammering tools which were mounted oil at one side of the rotary dump and which were lowered into zoperative relation to the car bottom when the car is inverted in the dump.

The present invention is an improvement over previous known means for hammering on the bottoms of the inverted mine cars in the dump in that the hammering tools are mounted within the rotary dump itself so that when the dump is rotated to invert a mine car, the hammering tools -move automatically into operative relation to the car bottom; and when the dump is rotated to turn the car'right s'ide'up; the hammering tools move automatically into their inactive, position out of contact with the car. In a preferredembodiment, the hammering tools are mounted in guides on the rotary dump -fr ;movement;into and out of their operative hammeringcposition with respect to the car bottomand the tools are supplied with pressure fluid through a common 'pipeconnection extending longitudinally within the rotary dump and having a releasable fluid coupling for connecting the fluid supply on the dump to an extraneous'source'of pressureitfiuid.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to -provide a rotary car dump having associated. therewith improved means'ior ham *meringon the bottom of an 'inverted'mine car in "the dump to" release any wet and sticky-material which might be solidly packed-1n thebottom Claims. (01. 214-53).

appear. 1

of the car. Another object is to provide an improved hammering mechanism which is mounted within the rotary car dump itself and which moves automatictlly into and out of its efiective position with respect to the bottom of a mine car 'in the dump as the dump is rotated into its different positions. A further object is to provide an improved means for mounting a hammering tool on the rotary car dump. Still another object is to provide improved fiuid supply connections for the hammering tools on theirotary ;car dump. These and. other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of'illustration-one form which, the invention ma assume in practice.-

In these drawings: a 11' f Fig. 1 is a side'elevational'view, with'portions in central longitudinal vertical. section, of a rotary car dump with "which an illustrative form of the invention'is associated, and showing a mine car in inverted-position in the dump.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 2-'2 of Fig. 1, showing the mine car in right side up position in the dump and with the fluid coupling released.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the mine car in inverted position and with the fluid coupling connected.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 44 of Fig. 1, showing one of thehammering tools in its operative hammering position.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 4, with the hammering tool in its inoperative inverted position.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

In this illustrative form of the invention the improved hammering means generally designated I is associated with a rotary car dump generally designated 2. Evidently the invention may be associated with other types of material unloading apparatus.

providing a rigid rotary structure capable of supporting the weight of a loaded car such as a conventional mine car H such as is used in coal mines. Arranged longitudinally within the rotary carrier and secured to the cross supports are track rails l2 which, when the rotary dump is in the position shown in Fig. 2, are alined with the rails I3'and H (see Fig. 1) of a trackway leading to and fromthe rotary dump. The track rails l3, 14 may be laid on a suitable bed structure l5 laid on the floor or ground,- or, if desired, the track bed may besuppo-rted directly on the floor or ground with the lower portion of the rotary dump-=-arranged in a suitable recess such as a pit, in'awell'knownmam ner. Secured to the inner sides of-the transverse frame members 9 andrintermediate-framea members [6 secured to the longitudinal frame members 1 and 8, are ,side flanges or ledges-H- which are received in longitudinal guideways 28 on the sides of the mine'car 11": when the lat ter is moved within the'rotary'dump, and these side flanges serve 'tosupport the mine car-when the latter is in inverted' position as shown in Figs. 1' and 3. The mine car has a body ['9' providing a receptaclefor receiving 'the loose coal orother material to be transported;- and the on a suitable platform 2! off; at one side of th rotary-dump is a motor 22fon driving-through a conventional clutch controlled transmission-23 a spur' gear-24 which meshes with aslarge :spur

gear 25 on th'e outer'peripheryroficneof'the circular end supports '4" of "the-rotary dump. The transmission 23 embodies aiconventional' clutch mechanism operated' byazhandlever 25 for connectin the gear? -24t0' the motor: so that rcta- "tion of the dump'niay' he started: and stopped under manual coritrol as desired. Evidently, suitable automatic stop mechanism may be provided for interrupting the driverwhen the rotary dump has turnedthrough I80 into either of its opposite positions as shown irrFigs. 2'and 3.

Now referring to the improved means for imparting hammer blows tortheoar bottom when a mine car is in invertedpositionon the carrier of the rotary dump, it will be. noted-'that-mounted on parallel supports 21, 2'l'secured toend plates 28 in turn secured to the cross supports it and the circular end supports 4; are'hammering tools 29 extending radially with respect'tor the axis of rotation of the dump and which assume upright positions above the mine car, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, when the mine car is inverted; There are shown herein three hammering tools spaced longitudinally of the rotary dump as shown in Fig. 1 although a greater or smaller: number of tools may be employed'undercertain conditions. Each of these hammering tools comprises tubular guide cylinder'30 preferably-weldedtoside plates 3! which are secured by screwsiitto the parallel supports 21. Attached as by tie rods 33 to the ends of the cylinders are end plates 34 and 35, the latter havin a central bore 35. Slidably guided in each of the guide cylinders 33 is a conventional fluid actuated hammer motor 31 comprisin a motor cylinder 38 containing-a reciprocatory hammer piston 39 for delivering impact blows to a tappet' .5 guided in a'front cylinder head 4|. The forward: portionof the front cylinder head 4| is received:inaborertz in a front cylindric guide block 43' which shotingly fits the bore of the guide cylinder 39; and also arranged in the bore 42 of the front guide block is a bushing 44 which slidingly receives and supports the shank 45 of a front striking bar 46. Arranged at the rear end of the motor cylinder is a rear cylindric guide block 4'! also slidingly received in the guide cylinder bore. The cylinder parts-and the front and rear-guide blocks are held in'assembled relation-asby tie'bolts 48. The front striking bar 45 is received in the bore of the front guide block 43 and is held therein for limited axial movement by a pin and slot connection 49. The shank 45 of the striking bar projects rearwardlycinto the cylinder head 4| in position to receive the impact blows of the tappet' 40, and the striking bar 45 projects forwardly throughithesbore 36 in the front head 35 of the guide cylinder 30 in position to strike blows on the plane surface of a channel iron 5| rigidly secured to the bottom of the body L? of the mine car [L1 The hammerzmdtcrrunit of; each hammering tool is freely slidable longitudinally within the bore:- of? the guide cylinder? 30, and each guide cylinder.- is slotted longitudinallyat 52 along onesidethereof; liiluidunder pressure may be supplied to the;hammer motors-=of: the several hammeringrtools fromacommon supply pipe 53 extending longitudinally of andsuspended .withinthe rotary dump,- throug-hbranch supply pipes 54 whichspassitlntoughsthe-guide -cylinder slots 52 into connectionwviththerconventional automatic distributing means oi'thehanrmer "motors. illheafluidzdistributmgzmeansz well known-tmthose skilled. inthezarts automaticallyrdistributes fluid-througlrsuitablaports and passages-tonne; boreof themotoricylinder ofzeach hammers motormnder themontrolmt anonvem tional fluid distributing-valve;mechanism'tneffeszt rapid reciprocation:01:;thehammrmist0nwhfifiever-the pressure'fluid-supplyisstunned-pm. Since the specific structure zofi :thej fluiddistributing means does. notiper .:se enterjnto (the: present: invention, further disclosure" thereof hereinf is: un-

necessary.

As previously mentioned, the branch; supply pipes 54 for the pressure-fluid are-connected to the common supply-pipe 53 within the rotary dump and pressure fluid is conducted to this-sup ply pipe through a supply hose 55 leading to an inner coupling-element 56 supported on the rotary dump. Connectibleto. the inner coupling element is an outer coupling element 51 which is supported on an' upright 58- mounted on the platform 2|. Connected to the outer coupling element through a conduit 59.: is a supply hose 60 in turn connected to a conventionalmanual control valve 6|. When the valve 6| is turned into its open position, pressure fluid may be conducted from a supply line 62 leading to a suitable source of fluid supply, through the supply hose 62, conduit 59, outer coupling element 51, and, when the fluid coupling is connected, through'the inner coupling element f55and hose 55 tothe supply pipe 53and thence through'the branch pipes 54 to the hammer motors of the-hammering tools. When the rotary dump is in the position shown in Fig. 2 with the mine car in upright position, the fluid coupling 56, 51 is released and when the rotary dump is turned through to invert the mine car, as shown-in ,3, the fluid coupling 56,

' 51 'may be connected tos supply pressure-fluid to The general mode of operation of the improved rotary car dump will be clearly apparentfrom the dump through thegearing 24," from the position shown in Fig; 2 through 180 to the position shown in Figsl and 3' wherein the mine car is inverted to discharge its contents, and the gearing 24, 25 may then be disconnected from the motor in any suitable manner either manually or automatically. As the rotary dump turns from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3, the hammering motors 31 of the hammering tools 29 slide inwardly along their guides 30 from the' inverted inactive position shown in Fig. 5 to the operativev position shown in Fig.- 4, with the strildng bar 46 g in engagement with the surface at the bottom. a

of the mine car. The outer coupling element 51 of the fluid coupling may then be connectedto the inner coupling element 56 on the rotary dump and the valve 5| may then be opened'to' supply pressure fluid past thefluid coupling through the.

hose 55, pipe 53 and branch pipes 54 to the hammering motors 0f the hammering'tools" to effect hammering on the" car bottom; thereby to' release the wet and stick coal or bther-material which may-be packed in the car bottom. Wh'enthe inverted mine "car iscompletely unloaded;'the'operator ma release the-fluid coupling '56-, 5F'and manipulate the-lever 25 to effectmotation of the 180 back to its position shown in Fig. 2 to'turn the car right side up and the unloaded mine car may then be moved along the track rails l2 from the rotary dump onto the trackway "[4 leading from the dump. It will be evident-that when the mine car is'in its inverted position as'shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the car issupported by the side flanges ll.

As a result of this invention, it willbe noted that a rotary car dump is provided having associated therewith improved ineans for hammering on the bottom of an inverted mine car in the dump to release any wet and sticky coal or other material which might be solidly packed in the car bottom. It will be further evident that by mounting the hammering tools within the rotary dump itself, the hammering tools move automatically into operative relation with respect to the car bottom when the dump is rotated to invert a mine car and when the dump is rotated to turn the empty mine car right side-up, the hammering tools move automatically into their inactive position out of contact with the car. The fluid supply connections arranged on the rotary dump in the manner disclosed provide extremely simple fluid supply means for; the hammering tools. Other uses and advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes. of illustration, and that the invention maybe modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

- What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a material unloading apparatus, in combination, a rotary car dump having car supporting means thereon for receiving a loaded mine car and supported for rotation between positions in which a car thereon is respectively upright and in an inverted discharging position, a hammering mechanism, and mounting means on said rotary dump for said hammering mechanism for supporting the latter for movement relative to said dump, said mounting means mounted on said rotary dump in such a position that the hammering mechanism moves toward the car when the latter is in discharging position on said dump and away from a car when the latter is upright, said hammering mechanism being supported on said mounting means with its hammering end towards a mine car supported on said dump and having arange of movement on said 'mounting means enabling its establishment of hammering relation with the car when the latanism' for supporting -the latter for movement relative to said dump, said mounting means mounted 'on said rotary dump in such a position that the hammering mechanism moves toward dump from the position 'shown'in Fig1 3 -through 'ter is upright, said hammering mechanism being supported on'said mounting means with its hammering end toward" mine. car supported on "said dumpand having a range of'movement on said mounting means enabling its establishment of hammeringjrelation with the car when the latter is in inverted" discharging position, and fluid conductingmeans on said rotary dump for supplying operating fluid to said hammering mechanism and adapted for connection with an extraneous source of fluid supply.

3. In a material unloading apparatus, in combination, a rotary car dump having car supporting means thereon for receiving a loaded mine car and supported for rotation between positions in which a car thereon is respectively upright and in an invertedld ischarging position, a hammering mechanism, v and guiding means on said rotary car dumpfor said hammering mechanism supporting the latter for free sliding movement, said guiding means mounted-on said rotary car dump in-such aposition that the hammering mechanism slides towards a car when the latter .is in discharging position on saiddump and away .ingmeans thereon -for receiving a loaded mine car and supported for rotation between positions in which a car thereomisrespectively upright and in an inverted discharging position, a ham- 7 vmeringmechanism, and guiding means on said rotary car dump for said hammering mechanism supporting the latter for free sliding movement, -said :guiding means extending longitudinally at right angles to the axis of rotation of said dump insuch manner that the hammering mechanism slides towards a car when the latter isin discharging-position on said dump and away from a carwvhen the latter is upright, said hammering 'vmechanism being supported on said guiding .zmcans with its hammering end towardsa mine car supported on the car dump and having a range of sliding movement on-said guiding means enabling its establishment of hammering relaation with-the car when the latter is in inverted adischarging position.

-5. In a' material unloading apparatus, the com- Wbination comprising a rotary car dump having aw-generally circular carrier frame mounted for rotation about a central longitudinal axis and zwhaving carsupporting means thereon for receiving a-loaded mine car, and rotatable about said axis between positions in which a car isrespectively upright and in an inverted discharging ,position, a .hammeringdevice, and a cross guide .1 on said-carrier frame within the confines thereof .vand arranged longitudinally at right angles to the axis of rotation of said dump,said guide dis- I posed on s'aid .frame at one side of said carfsup- .porting means in such a position that said hamjmering'device moves along said guide towards a war'when'the latteris in discharging position on ES iiddfiInp and awayirom aecar when the latter iisl nprighflsaid hammering device being sup- .ion said..guide with its hammering end .,,towards,ailnine car supported on the carvdump and havinga range of movement on said guide enabling its establishment of hammering relaltion witl'ifthe car bottom when the car in- J tted man i p ion.

6L'In ,"nlateri' 1 unloading apparatus, the com- Tbination comprising. a rotary car dump having a I generally circular carrier frame mounted for rtation'about a central longitudinal axis and hav- ,ing car supporting means thereon for receiving a loaded mine car and rotatable about said axis between positions in which a car is respectively upright and in an inverted discharging position, a fluid operated hammering motor, a cross guide on said carrier frame within the confines thereof and arranged longitudinally at right angles to the axis of rotation of said dump, said guide disposed on said frame at one side of said car supporting means in such a position that said hammering motor moves along said guide towards a car when the latter is in discharging position on said dump and away from a car when the latter is upright, said hammering motor being supported onsaid guide with its hammering end towards-aminecar supported on the car dump and having a range of movement on said guide enabling its establishment of hammering relation "with the car bottom when the car is in inverted discharging position, and fluid conducting means on said carrier frame for conducting fluid to said hammering motor and adapted for connection to an extraneous source of fluid supply.

7. In a material unloading apparatus, the combination comprising a rotary car dump having a generally circular carrier frame mounted for ro- "tation about a central longitudinal axis and having car supporting means thereon for receiving a loaded mine car and rotatable about said axis be- "tween positions in which a 'car is respectively up- -"right and in an inverted discharging position, a

' 8 :fluid-opera'tedhammeri-ng motor,- a cross guide on said carrier .frame within the-confines thereof and arranged longitudinally at right angles-tome axis of rotation'of said'dump, said vguide-zdisposed on said frame at one side ofsaid-carlsupporting means in such :a position that said=hammering motor ..=moves along said guide towards a car when-the :latter in discharging positionron said dump and away-from a car when Wei-latter 10 is upright, said hammering motor-vbeing csu pported on said guide 'with its hammeringendtowards a mine car supported v on'the car dumpcand having a range of :movement-pn said guideenabling its establishment of hammering relation with the 'car bottom-when the -carf isiiniinverted discharging positionafluid condueting rmeansrpn said carrier frameafor conducting vfl-uid towsaid hammering motor and adapted for corn'iectiornto an extraneous source of"fiuid--supply,-:and con- -trolg-meansamounted extraneously to said rotary --:carrier .frame' for controllingfluid flowe-fromwsaid source to, said fluid conducting-means foneffectling startingeand'stopp of said motor.

'8. a material unloading apparatus thecombination comprisingwa:rotarycanddmp for rotation abouta central'longitudinal axis and having car supporting emeans including a track- 'way at one side of said axis on which-a doaded tinine car adapted tobe supportedusaid cansupporting means beingsupported -forrotatiomwith said dump;b;etween positionsinwvhiclzra'car thereondsrespectivelyrnpright and an-iinvertedqiischarging-;--position,- .98, i ihammering device, wand -'g1iiding--meansmounted' on said rotary rl-umpmt the rside et-said asfsaid :traclowayfi :for supporting Haida hammering device afor hsnided movement relative to said 'adumpr-said guiding means'so .disposed on+said dump-thatzthe hammering device movesctherealong -rtowards -.-a rear 4 when the -latter is in-discharg-ing gaositionmngsaid dump-and-away-f-rom aicanwhenthe' latter is up- :right; said hammeringdevice being smppdrtedron said guidingm'eans with .its-hammeringi end atowards a mine oarsupported on the car dumpand 3 having :a-rang of l-m'ovem ent along said-guiding means enabling its-.establishmentcof hammering relation with the car bottom when the carris'in inverted discharging position. 9. In a material unloading apparatus, -rthe so combination'comprising a rotary dumping means having a generally circular carrier-frame'mounted for rotation about'a central longitudinal axis and 'supportingmeans thereon 'for receiving a loaded receptacle, said carrier frame supported for rotation between positions wherein a receptacle' thereon isrespectivly upright aridininvert'ed discharging position, poweroperated hammering means, and means for mounting said hammering means withinthe confines of said to carrier frame for movement relativethereto, said mounting means'mounted on said carrier frame 'in such a position that said hammering means "moves toward the receptacle when the latter is'in discharging position and away from the recepta- (25 cle when the latter is upright, said hammering means being supported on "said mounting-means with its hammering end towards ajreceptacle supported on the dumping means and havinga range of movement on said mounting means enabling its establishment of hammering relation with the receptacle bottom when the receptacle .is vin inverted discharging position. Y

I0.'In a material unloading apparatus, "the combinationjcompri'sing a rotary car hav- 7 5 *ing a circular carrier frame including. anmil e r' id frame members and supported for rotation about a central longitudinal axis, said carrier frame having car supporting means thereon for receiving a loaded mine car and being rotatable about I said axis between positions in which a car thereon is respectively upright and in inverted discharging position, a plurality of fluid operated hammers, guides on said carrier frame for supporting said hammers for free movement therealong and extending longitudinally at right angles to said axis of rotation of said carrier frame and equally spaced longitudinally of said frame, said guides mounted on said carrier frame in such positions that the hammers move therealong towards a car when the latter is in discharging position and away from a car when the latter is upright, said hammers being supported by said guides with their hammering ends towards a mine car supported on the car dump and having a range of movement along said guides enabling their establishment of hammering relation with the car bottom when the car is in inverted discharging position, and fluid con-,

ducting means on said rotary carrier frame for supplying operating fluid to said hammers and 2 adapted for connection to an extraneous source of fluid supply, said fluid conducting means ineluding a rigid fluid conduit extending longitudinally of said carrier frame and supported by said end frame members and flexible fluid conduits between said rigid conduit and each of said hammers.

JOHN C. CURTIS.

ELMER G. GARTIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Mining Congress Journal, Sept. 1944, pages 40and41." Y t 

